Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2015 Mazda Mazda3 owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Description On 12-15-2025, in 18 F weather, the vehicle was parked on a residential sloped driveway with the manual parking brake fully engaged. While the driver was outside the vehicle, the parking brake system failed to hold the car's weight. The vehicle rolled backward, crashed through a wooden railing, teetering on a 4-foot retaining wall, and came to rest over a culvert. Two young children were inside the vehicle at the time of the failure. Component Failure & Availability: The manual parking brake system failed to provide sufficient holding force to secure the vehicle. The rear brake calipers are currently available for inspection. Safety Risk: The safety of the two children inside the vehicle was put at extreme risk due to the unexpected movement of the car. …
The contact owns a 2015 Mazda Mazda3. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V393000 (Parking Brake); and would like to be removed from the recall distribution list. The local dealer and manufacturer were not contacted.
I went to go step on brakes to slow down as I was coming up on a vehicle that was stopped due to traffic in front of me when my brakes locked up and I slid right into the guy. I tried to turn my wheel to go on shoulder, but vehicle would not move. I was on the freeway and in traffic. I wasn't speeding as there was no possible way to as traffic was in play, but our lane started to move and I stayed back and when I went to step on brakes, they locked up.
Parking break does not hold or releases after vehicle has been parked (flat or hill surfaces) car has rolled 3 times in parking lots situation. 3rd time car rolled after being stationary for 45 min. I witnessed car locked rolling in the lot as I cam out and clicked the door locks from distance of 20 ft away. Car rolled silently - could have hit anyone behind it in the parking lot area - very very dangerous! Mazda claims my car VIN no. Is not included in the recall for Mazda 3 and Mazda 6s that has just been issued for this particular problem - parking brakes not holding. I beg to differ. The first 2 times this happened I thought it was me, but now am convinced car has an issue. Have driven stick / manual with parking brake for 23 years and never had this happen before. Now, has happened 3 times in 2 years. …
I started noticing a squeal from my rear brakes that would occur at the beginning of driving (not while braking) then go away after 1 or 2 stops. About a week and a half later, the day I used my handbrake to park, after my 25 minute commute home I noticed a hot metal smell. I put my hand up to my driver side rear wheel and felt intense heat from the brakes. Saw the rotors were dug in. I bought rear brakes and rotors and changed them out myself. The parking brake actuator shaft was stuck, binding the brakes on both rear calipers. The metal around the boot of both shafts on the caliper look wet. The piston of the caliper was easily rotated back in after unbinding the parking brake actuator shaft. Parking brake now is unhooked due to it being unsafe. This happened on both parking brake actuator shafts on the rear calipers after only 24,900 miles.
Tl* the contact owns a 2015 Mazda 3. The contact stated that the brakes did not function as intended unless the brake pedal was depressed excessively. The brake warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the calipers were defective and needed to be replaced. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 17V393000 (parking brake); however, the parts to do the repair were unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. Anything Mazda (5576 pleasant view rd, memphis, tn) was contacted and confirmed that the parts were not available for the recall remedy. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was approximately 68,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Headrest unusable in safe driving position. Forces head to floor or prevents proper back placement on seat, sometimes both. The only way to sit in the seat comfortably is to have the seat leaning too far back where I cannot reach the steering wheel comfortably. Wheels would vibrate at speeds above 55, sometimes as low as 40. Recently fixed by dealership. Brakes were improperly adjusted and scraped against the inside of the brake assembly. Made a loud scratch sound. Took two visits to the dealership to be fixed. All events required individual visits to the repair shop, and I am uncertain of the long-term viability of the vehicle. Any small issue raises extra concerns. Vehicle has only 2K miles after a year of ownership because of either driving discomfort or the vehicle being in the shop to be worked on.
Tl* the contact owns a 2015 Mazda 3. While driving 15 MPH, the vehicle felt as if it were dragging. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer to be diagnosed. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 17V393000 (service brakes). The part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The local dealer (connecticut's own Volvo, 909 boston post road, milford, ct, 06460) was contacted and confirmed that the parts were not available for the recall remedy. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was approximately 14,500. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Like many other Mazda 3 owners, I have had water enter my calipers and bind, leaving brakes activated on the rotors wearing down the brakes faster than normal. Approx 65,000 miles on my car and I am currently getting my third set of brakes and rotors installed on my vehicle, with new calipers that is not covered under the recall. After contacting Mazda, my VIN specific does not qualify for this recall. This issue is known from Mazda and should be extended to all models.
Passenger side rear brake caliper does not retract properly and wears out brake pads quickly. This should not hapen at less than 50,000 miles. I have seen numerous complaints online and there is a recall for this year, but it does not include my VIN.
Related recalls
Parking brake
Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2014-2015 Mazda6 and 2014-2016 Mazda3 vehicles. Water could possibly enter the brake caliper causing the parking brake actuator shaft to corrode and possibly bind.
Remedy: Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will check the parking brake actuator shafts, replacing any that are corroded, free of charge. Remedy parts are currently unavailable.
Brake complaints in other Mazda3 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are brake problems on the 2015 Mazda Mazda3?
NHTSA has 28 complaints about the brakes of the 2015 Mazda Mazda3, 22% of the model year's 130 complaints.
Is there a recall for 2015 Mazda Mazda3 brake problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 17V-393 (parking brake, Jun 22, 2017). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2015 Mazda Mazda3 brake problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 52,000 miles, and 33% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 3 crashes, 0 fires and 2 injuries to brakes problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.